Assessment of accuracy of two different radiographic methods for age estimation to chronological age – A Comparative CBCT Study

Introduction: Assessment of age in adults is a difficult task in forensic medicine. In craniofacial structures, the mental, mandibular foramina and teeth are useful in age estimation. Because the pulp-to-tooth area ratio (PTR) based on secondary dentin deposition and the distance between the inferior border of the mental foramen and lower border of the mandible stays largely consistent over the course of a person's life, PTR and position of mental foramen are sensitive age markers. Aim: This study aims to assess an accurate method for age estimation, by comparing the results of the two different age estimation techniques such as mandibular canine's PTR and vertical position of the mental foramen using cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: In 80 mandibular CBCT images, the pulp area and tooth area of the canine were measured from the axial section and a ratio was obtained. The same process was used for the sagittal sectional image. Another method involved measuring the mental foramen's four variables (X1, X2, X3, and X4) using a panoramic sectional image. The procured data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: A negative linear relationship was acquired among the pulp cavity width, the height of the mandible (X1), and the age. Cubic regression analysis was performed, and the regression formulae were acquired. A mean difference of 2.11 years in axial section, 3.93 years in sagittal section, and 11.23 years in the mental foramen vertical position was acquired among the age estimated and chronological age. Conclusion: The sagittal sectional image of the mandibular canine's PTR is more accurate for determining age when compared with the vertical position of the mental foramen.